Before COVID, the only way to speak at city and county board and commission meetings was to attend in person. But during the pandemic, remote public participation was allowed, increasing the volume and diversity of participants. San Jose chose to continue remote participation permanently. However, Santa Clara County is still considering whether to extend the remote participation option to key boards and commissions.

Why Public Participation Matters

Public participation is critical for democracy because it allows citizens to have a voice in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. In a democratic society, citizens have the right to express their opinions, voice their concerns, and hold their elected officials accountable. Public participation enables citizens to play an active role in shaping policies, laws, and regulations that affect their communities.

Without broad and inclusive public participation, decision-making can become dominated by a small group of people or special interests, which can undermine the democratic process. Public participation helps to ensure that government policies are responsive to the needs and concerns of residents, which can improve the overall quality of life in a community.

Public participation also helps to build trust between residents and their government. When residents feel they have a say in decision-making processes, they are more likely to feel invested in the outcomes and more likely to support the decisions that are made. This can strengthen the legitimacy of democratic institutions and promote a more stable and prosperous society.

Remote public participation fosters equity because:

• With the widest range of virtual options, people like busy parents and caregivers, those working two jobs, and those without transportation can provide input without having to commute to downtown San Jose. The elimination of a virtual option would create a hardship for some and likely reduce community engagement and the diversity of participants.
• Providing virtual options also makes meetings accessible for those with certain disabilities and older adults, including those unable to risk their health by attending in-person meetings.
• The negative effects of eliminating virtual options would especially affect communities of color.

Status of Public Participation in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties

When remote public participation was allowed during the COVID pandemic, participation in public meetings greatly increased, and so did the diversity of people speaking up. Many people who were unable to travel to meetings in person, were able to attend and speak at meetings on Zoom.

That’s why the City of San Jose has decided to allow remote public participation permanently, at City Council meetings and also at all meetings of city boards and commissions.

San Mateo County also currently allows remote public comment for Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings. San Mateo County is in the process of surveying its boards and commissions regarding which of them are meeting strictly in person and which have begun offering a virtual option for the public.

Unfortunately, Santa Clara County has decided to allow remote public participation only for meetings of the Board of Supervisors and for five Board policy committees, but not for all. Green Foothills is particularly concerned that the County doesn’t currently allow remote participation at the Planning Commission and several other boards and commissions whose purpose will directly advance race equity. The Supervisors appear to be supportive of extending remote public participation to more boards and/or commissions, but they have not yet done so. A decision is expected by June 2023 and the outcome is not guaranteed.

Support Public Participation

If you haven’t already, please send an email to the Santa Clara County Supervisors asking them to extend remote public participation to key boards and commissions that have authority to make final decisions, make high impact recommendations, or are likely to be of great interest to diverse communities, including the Planning Commission. Let them know that it is important to allow as many people as possible to be able to participate, thereby promoting equity, inclusion, and the diversity of participants.